OSLO, March 8 (Reuters) - The U.S. embassy in Oslo was hit by an explosion ‌early on Sunday, causing minor damage ‌but no injuries, Norwegian police said.

A loud blast was ​heard near the embassy compound in western Oslo at around 1 a.m. (0000 GMT), and smoke was seen rising from the area, eyewitnesses told ‌local media.

"We've determined ⁠that an explosion hit the American embassy," police spokesperson Mikael Dellemyr told ⁠public broadcaster NRK, adding that the blast occurred at the entry to the consular section.

A ​search for ​the perpetrators of the ​blast was ongoing, ‌while no further explosive devices had been found in the area, Dellemyr said.

"The police are in a dialogue with the embassy and there are no reports of any injured persons," the ‌Oslo police department said ​in a separate statement.

The embassy ​did not ​immediately respond to a request for ‌comment outside of regular business ​hours.

The U.S. ​State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Terje Solsvik ​and Gwladys ‌Fouche in Oslo, additional reporting by Sergio ​Non in Washington; Editing by Franklin ​Paul and Sonali Paul)

Source: Drudge Report